Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger confirms Alexis Sanchez will return to training on Sunday
The Chilean striker will be back at London Colney this weekend despite continued links with Manchester City
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MANCHESTER CITY target Alexis Sanchez will return to Arsenal training on Sunday.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger confirmed that his Chilean star will be back at London Colney to prepare for the start of the new season.
Contract rebel Sanchez was granted extra leave following his international duty in last month's Confederation's Cup.
He will be joined by German international Shkodran Mustafi after the defender was also granted an extended break.
The French coach told Arsenal Player: “Alexis and Mustafi, their first training session will be on Sunday, the day we play against Sevilla [in the Emirates Cup].
“They are practising on the day.
“First of all you make a really good check-up of where they are, how much they have worked during their break.
“After, once you know where you stand, they need an adjusted programme and to see how quickly you can fit them in again.”
CATCH-UP WITH THE LATEST NEWS IN THE ALEXIS SANCHEZ TRANSFER SAGA
Sanchez, 28, has now entered the final twelve months of his contract at the Emirates and is nowhere near extending his deal.
He is believed to have asked for wages of around £300,000-a-week, way above the club's wage structure.
PSG were leading the chase for the forward's signature but have reportedly given up the chase for the hitman.
They had two bids rejected but have dropped their interest due to his desire to join Pep Guardiola's City.
Arsenal are determined not to lose their talisman to Premier League rivals.
But speculation is mounting that Sanchez is willing to take a pay cut to move to the Etihad.
Wenger has insisted on numerous occasions that Sanchez will remain with the club this season.
Alexis Sanchez - The Chilean star who is refusing to sign a new Arsenal deal as Manchester City close in
- Born in Tocopilla, Chile on December 19, 1988
- Began his career in Chilean club Cobreloa, breaking into the first-team after one year in 2005
- Signed for Italian club Udinese in 2006 and spent one season on loan at Colo-Colo in his home country, then another at Argentine club River Plate
- Signed for Barcleona in 2011 in a £23million deal
- Won La Liga, the Copa del Rey, Supercopa, Uefa Super Cup and Fifa Club World Cup during three seasons at the Nou Camp
- Signed for Arsenal in 2014 for £35million
- Won the FA Cup in 2015 and 2017, as well as the Community Shield in 2014 and 2015
- Claimed the Cop America Cup in 2015 and 2016
- Named PFA Fans’ Player of the Year in 2015
But supporters are sceptical after hearing similar claims in the past regarding the likes of Robin van Persie, Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri only to see them move on.
Sanchez wants to play Champions League football and challenge for top honours.
He only has one league title to his name, which he won with Barcelona in 2013, and believes he could add a lot more to his collection at City.
Meanwhile, fellow Arsenal ace Mesut Ozil gave fans a glimpse of his preparation for the upcoming campaign via his Instagram account.
The German winger posted a snap of him inside an ice chamber.
Despite feeling the chill there, his heart is warming towards extending his stay in North London.
Like Sanchez, he has entered the final year of his deal and had been asking for a bumper pay rise.
But the latest reports suggest that Wenger has made a huge breakthrough in negotiations with the 28-year-old and he is set to pen a new £280,000-a-week contract.
